AI as Your Wingman: 3 Practical Uses Every B2B Seller Should Know

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Artificial Intelligence (AI) feels like a far-off concept to many sales professionals. It conjures images of complex algorithms and the fear of being replaced by a robot. That fear is unfounded. Especially in manufacturing sales—where human relationships and technical expertise are crucial—AI will never replace the salesperson. 

What AI can do is act as your best assistant—your personal wingman that takes over the tedious, time-consuming tasks so you can focus on what you’re truly good at: building relationships and closing complex deals. 

This blog isn’t about theory but about practice. We’ll show three concrete AI applications you can start using today to work smarter and succeed more. 

Why AI matters right now for manufacturing

The role of sales in manufacturing has changed. Buyers are better informed than ever and expect not a product pitch but a conversation with a strategic partner who thinks along with them. This requires you, as a seller, to be extremely well prepared and to have deep knowledge of the customer and their challenges. At the same time, the administrative load often keeps growing. 

AI helps resolve this tension. It gives you the insights you need to be a better conversation partner and removes the administrative burden at the same time. 

Three practical AI applications for your sales day

1. Preparation: AI as your research assistant

A good conversation starts with solid preparation. But manually combing through a prospect’s website, digging into LinkedIn profiles and searching for recent company news is time-consuming. 

• The AI solution: Modern CRMs, such as HubSpot, have built-in AI assistants (e.g., a ‘Prospecting Agent’). With one click, this assistant can scour the web and, within seconds, generate a summary of the company, key contacts and roles, recent news and current challenges.
• The benefit: You start every conversation with a hyper-relevant opening and immediately show you’ve done your homework.

2. Focus: AI as your opportunity filter

You’ve got a list of 100 leads. Where do you start? It’s impossible to spend equal time on all of them. 

• The AI solution: AI-driven lead scoring analyses the behaviour and attributes of all your contacts and compares them to data from your most successful customers in the past. Based on this analysis, each lead receives a score.
• The benefit: No more guessing. The system tells you, “Start with these five leads today; they show the behaviour that most often leads to a deal.” That way you spend your precious time on the most promising contacts.

3. Follow-up: AI as your memory aid

After a good conversation, the follow-up begins: sending a summary, scheduling a follow-up meeting, sending the promised documentation. These are crucial yet repetitive tasks. 

• The AI solution: With automated email sequences you can prepare a series of personal follow-up emails in advance. After your conversation you write a good summary once, and the software ensures that a reminder is sent after three days and, after a week, an email with a relevant case study.
• The benefit: You’ll never forget a follow-up task again. The process is structured and professional, while you’re already focused on the next conversation.

Your expertise, amplified by technology

AI isn’t a threat. It’s a tool that amplifies your expertise and relationship skills. It takes over the repetitive and data-intensive tasks, giving you more time and mental space to be the strategic partner your manufacturing customers need. 

Curious what these AI tools look like in practice? Schedule a demo and we’ll gladly show how HubSpot’s sales tools can make your work easier. 

Discover how technology can accelerate your growth.

Have questions about marketing automation, CRM, or integrations? Together, we’ll find the best solution for your organization.

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